KUCHING, Sept 18: Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni has expressed his disappointment with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Rafizi Ramli who claimed that Sarawak and Sabah leaders are quick to point their fingers at Malaya for problems occurring in the two States.
He also noted that Rafizi has blamed embezzlements for the poverty occurring in Sarawak and Sabah instead of owning up to the shortcomings of leaders in Malaya.
Following this, he described Rafizi’s Malaysia Day message posted on Facebook on Sept 16 as “baffling” and “disappointing” to the people of Borneo.
“I view that the statement by the PKR deputy president as being political and does not at all reflect the spirit of equal partnership in Malaysia where Sarawak and Sabah are left to fend for themselves,” he said in a statement today.
Lukanisman further said that for Sarawak, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) State government has remained steadfast in alleviating poverty and ensuring that these particular groups receive assistance.
He cited the roll-out of Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance (BKSS) packages during the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“While the State government is trying its best to somewhat remedy the situation — the role of leaders in Malaya, especially in the federal government, is also crucial.
“The federal government is bound to assist in developing the two Borneo States and not leave the task of transforming Sarawak and Sabah solely to the State governments.
“This is crucial, especially when resources and taxes collected from these two States are shared with the federal government to be used in developing other areas in Malaysia,” he added.
Lukanisman, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy youth chief, also questioned Rafizi’s sudden interest in the well-being of people in Sarawak and Sabah.
“Perhaps it is to win brownie points among the supporters and the people in Sarawak and Sabah with the 15th General Election (GE15) around the corner. This, we can only speculate,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
